Participants can now expect a “Rock the Block Festival” the night before the races, a 10-mile tailgate party, more recognition for veteran participants and a second post-race food option.

“Our goal at Crim as a staff and as a board each year is to give our racers one heck of an experience,” Crim Fitness Foundation Race Director Andrew Younger said. “It’s our job to keep things interesting and perhaps even unexpected.”

Thanks to a strong partnership with Team One Credit Union, the “Rock the Block Festival” will be free of charge. There will be music from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s performed by Rachelle Ray & The Banned before the races.

“We have always thrown a great party both on Saturday and Friday night before the Crim to celebrate the Special Olympics and the Michigan Mile and really get the energy going and give people something to get excited about the next day,” said Younger.

Crim is asking local organizations to take part in the 10-mile tailgate. They are looking for more groups to cheer on racers along the course.

“This is a call to our churches, to our sports clubs, to our businesses, other organizations, to our schools,” said Younger. “What is really exciting about this is that we will have secret judges along the way who will be ranking all the groups and offer cash prizes to the best cheering sections."

Younger said they are introducing other food options.

“What keeps many people pushing hard, even when every part of their body is screaming for them to stop, has been the reward of a cold beer in one hand and a slice of pizza in the other," he added. "We’ve gotten some feedback from the years that some participants might prefer something other than pizza. So, we put a lot of thought into that idea this year.”

While still maintaining the post-race’s traditional treat of beer and pizza, Crim’s partnership with Crust bakery offers French sourdough bread with a choice of cheese spread, hummus, or Nutella.

Crim also wanted to add more details to their “American Mile.”

To further their continuous recognition of military veteran participants, Crim is offering the special option to add an American flag along with their branch of service to a spot on their bib.

All race participants will be given newly designed shirts and medals.

Additionally, Crim decided to rename their Lionheart award after Harry Binder – a 95-year old man who has ran Crim races over 30 times.

With the support of the Binder family, the Crim foundation can recognize lifelong racers but is also able to offer some financial assistance to a small number of participants who may be struggling to improve their health and finances.